Rescued Is My Favorite Breed: An Academia-Community Partnership Targeting a Mutual Goal

Abstract

The Canine Learning and Behavior undergraduate psychology course was created as a partnership among Saint Francis University, the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society, the Huntingdon County Humane Society, and the Cambria County Humane Society. Designed in accordance with recommended community engagement practices, the course offers enrolled students the opportunity to live with and train shelter dogs for an entire academic term. Students also learn to write shelter-specific grant applications on behalf of the community partners. Outcomes evaluation reveals that the course yields a positive effect on students, the community, and sheltered dogs alike